Ocoee's new addition: Rock 'N Rev

Jimmy Forster always has had a passion for music.

“It’s a sensory that just tells a story like no other,” he said. “You hear a song, and it brings you right back to being a kid, listening to mom’s, dad’s, or grandpa and grandma’s favorite songs of the yesteryear. (You) enjoy the emotional charge you get from hearing a great song that you’ve never heard before and lyrics, just being able to close your eyes and feel what the artist is trying to get across.” 

Since March 2023, Forster has been working on opening Rock ‘N Rev USA in Ocoee, a restaurant that celebrates the emotional charge you get from great music blasting out on the open road. According to its website, it’s all about the freedom to crank up tunes and rev up your inner motor, lifting the spirit and feeding your soul.

After a now-operating partner asked Forster to open the brand and introduce it to the world, he jumped right in as chief operating officer.

“A couple of us that are involved are just passionate about music, and we wanted to basically open a neighborhood bar and grill that could have some live music, be very themed around American music but also be steeped heavily in Americana,” Forster said.

And they did just that.

Rock ‘N Rev opened April 21, offering American-style dishes, weekly events such as trivia, bingo and live music entertainment Fridays and Saturdays.

Forster said their mission is to spread the love of music while also being a community partner.

“We really want to be that staple restaurant where you’re thinking of doing birthday parties, where (you) celebrate graduations or anything to that nature,” he said. “We’re not looking to be in the I-Drive corridor or the theme parks; we want to be in neighborhoods.”

The team currently is partnering with schools in the area to give back to the community by hosting events such as spirit nights for teachers and students.

Forster said the restaurant is family-friendly, and it offers kids’ menus, brunch, full-menu with appetizers and entrées, and more.

Dishes are inspired by places around the nation, Forster said.

“I think some people might perceive us as being a concert venue, and we’re not,” he said.

In four months, the restaurant has grown in popularity and received a lot of love from the community, and the team is proud of its success.

“I think everybody is very surprised,” Forster said. “From the outside in, we’re in a strip mall, it’s probably not the most aesthetically pleasing exterior of a restaurant, but I think when everybody walks into the restaurant and really sees what we were able to do — especially people who were here when it was a previous restaurant — they’re blown away with how much time we put into it.”

Forster said the team is happy to serve the Ocoee community.

“We want to welcome them back and take care of them time and time again,” he said. “And we’re very proud that this is our first location. … We’ve put together a beautiful restaurant with a great vibe, great atmosphere and we welcome everybody. Come have a great meal with great service and a lot to offer to everybody.”

IF YOU GO: 

8969 W. Colonial Drive, Ocoee

HOURS: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays; 11 a.m. to midnight Fridays and Saturdays

INFORMATION: (407) 512-5047 or rocknrevusa.com 

MENU RECOMMENDATIONS

1. Road-trip egg rolls

2. Wings

3. Smash burger